How the Boks stack up to Irish rivals

10 June 2016 - 09:45 By The Times

Opposing coaches Allister Coetzee and Joe Schmidt have picked moderately experienced sides that highlight the varying pools of depth available to them. Khanyiso Tshwaku looks at five key match-ups Willie le Roux v Jared PayneIf Rob Kearney was fit, this would have been a mouth-watering high-ball contest between two aerial ball experts. New Zealand-born Ulsterman Payne is definitely no mug at the back, but he's not in Kearney's class. That said, Le Roux may be the first choice Bok fullback but his domestic form with the Sharks hasn't been anything worth shouting about.Lionel Mapoe v Robbie HenshawOne thing is for certain, Mapoe will touch the ball, which wasn't the case in his 90-second Test debut last year. Henshaw, 22, is still in the formative stages of his international career but with 20 Test caps he has done more international rounds than Mapoe (1).Faf de Klerk v Connor MurrayThe 27-year-old Murray is one of the best halfbacks in Europe and will be expected to dominate De Klerk. But he must be wary of De Klerk's ability to take the initiative - and De Klerk's snappy service. The Lions man is far removed from the shovelling Ruan Pienaar that Murray is accustomed to in Ireland. The weather will also have a huge bearing in this contest. Should Cape Town serve up a wintry day, De Klerk may struggle.Siya Kolisi v CJ StanderKolisi will be starting in his first Test while Stander set Europe alight in his first Six Nations campaign. Stander was judged to be too small for Bok rugby while Kolisi was unfairly treated by former coach Heyneke Meyer. They will both have lots to prove.Adriaan Strauss v Rory BestStrauss would have loved to pack up against his cousin Richardt but the 33-year-old Ulsterman is excellence personified. With 94 caps, he's the more experienced of the hooker captains but Strauss has shown to be of better quality.Tomorrow will be the first indication of how life will be without Bismarck du Plessis...

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